Passenger in Coral viewing
DC in the Pontoon platform near Hamilton Island, Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, [composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi) over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in northeast Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms. This reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps. The Great Barrier Reef supports a wide diversity of life, and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981. CNN has labelled it one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. The Queensland National Trust has named it a state icon of Queensland.
A large part of the reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks, which helps to limit the impact of human use, such as overfishing and tourism. Other environmental pressures to the reef and its ecosystem include water quality from runoff, climate change accompanied by mass coral bleaching, and cyclic outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish.
The Great Barrier Reef has long been known to and utilised by the Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and is an important part of local groups' cultures and spirituality. The reef is a very popular destination for tourists, especially in the Whitsundays and Cairns regions. Tourism is also an important economic activity for the region. Fishing also occurs in the region, generating AU$ 1 billion per year.
Dc with another Co- Partners, James and Vincent
Spectacular view from Helicopter!
Hamilton Island is the second largest inhabited island of the Whitsunday Islands, after Whitsunday Island. Hamilton Island has a collection of wet drowned mountains situated close to the east coast of Queensland, Australia. Unlike most islands off the east coast of Australia, Hamilton Island is used almost exclusively for tourism. However the island is catering for a growing number of residents, both employees of the various businesses on the island and also those people choosing to retire and enjoy the lifestyle. The island is on long term lease from the Commonwealth government by the Oatley family. The Oatleys own and run Hamilton Island Enterprises which operates the majority of accommodation and businesses on the island.
Mount Buller is a town in Victoria, Australia 208 kilometres (129 mi) from Melbourne on the slopes of Mount Buller (elevation 1805 metres AHD).Primarily a resort town, Mount Buller is popular with snow sports enthusiasts in winter due to its close location to Melbourne. At the 2006 census, Mount Buller had a population of 251.
